Expand your space

TNNJul 2, 2006, 11.34am IST

In a city like Mumbai space is always at a premium, whether one has a studio apartment, a single bedroom, or even a three - bedroom home.

Creating a better managed home involves posing a set of pertinent questions, basically aimed at identifying what is essential, secondary and then purely extraneous. Weeding out of the last named category will be the first step toward a clutter-free living space. Making an inventory of necessary items along with their size, utility and the number of times in a month that they are used is invaluable .

Once this has been written down in black and white, stick by it!

We now look at storage options. All items can either be hidden away, or stored in full view. Hiding away is, of course, the most favoured option and great innovations can be achieved with a little bit of common sense being applied.

Your travelling gear, if not frequently used, can be filled with out -of-season clothing, as the suitcases will take up that space in any case. Fragile items like Diwali decorations can also be put away, as they are only needed once a year.

Cane baskets are relatively inexpensive options for taking care of laundry and linen needs, especially if bought in a stackable type. Chests are another popular way of storing linen; these have the added advantage of combining storage with seating, dressed up with a couple of cushions or even a foam-padded seat.

Tin trunks, much beloved of the older generation, can similarly be used instead of being reviled. A nice paint job will totally turn their look around.

Side or end tables can be boxes in reality, which can take the out-of-use curios, books etc. Disguised well with a glass top, the functional aspect will remain hidden.

If there is no space to expand, look down or up! Big plastic bins can be placed on top of cupboards with the odds and ends one just cannot throw away. There are a variety of plastic boxes and containers available in the market; choose the size that suits you best. These can even be slid under the bed, where they remain out of sight but are still easily accessible.

Making slip covers for open shelving is one less explored option. Any pleasing fabric can act as a barrier between ugly open shelving and the visitor's eye. A floor length tablecloth will hide quite a lot of clutter, which can then lurk undetected underneath.

Screening a high clutter area with potted plants is a favoured way to go. The traditional folding screen can also be used, space permitting.